**Product Overview and History**:
– Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink introduced in 1901 by A.G. Barr of Glasgow.
– It is known as Scotland’s other national drink after whisky and has been the top-selling soft drink in Scotland for over a century.
– The brand competes directly with global brands like Coca-Cola and has its own tartan.
– Irn-Bru is bright orange in color with a unique flavor, containing ingredients like caffeine and controversial colorings.
– The drink faced restrictions on certain colorings, which were later eased, and still contains them as of August 2021.
**Trademark and Branding**:
– Barr’s trademark application for Irn-Bru dates back to July 1946, with a name change from Iron Brew occurring in 1946 due to new regulations.
– The new name allowed Barr to have a legally protected brand identity, benefitting from their wartime advertising.
– The original name Iron Brew continued to be used by rival manufacturers.
– The brand has a long-standing association with Scottishness and has been marketed as a unique and maverick brand in the soft drinks market.
– Various advertising campaigns over the years have promoted Irn-Bru, with slogans like ‘Made in Scotland from girders.’
**Market Popularity and Expansion**:
– Irn-Bru is the most popular soft drink in Scotland, outselling Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and is the third best-selling soft drink in the UK.
– Variants like Diet Irn-Bru and Irn-Bru Sugar Free have been introduced, along with limited edition variants like Fiery Irn-Bru.
– The drink is exported to various countries and is increasingly stocked in supermarkets globally.
– Irn-Bru has seen success in markets like Russia, Spain, the Middle East, the United States, and Australia.
– The brand faced challenges and competition in the soft drinks market but has seen increased popularity and sales over the years.
**Product Changes and Marketing**:
– Irn-Bru underwent a formula change in 2018 to reduce sugar content and comply with a sugar tax in the UK.
– The new formula made Irn-Bru exempt from the sugar tax, and variants like Irn-Bru Xtra were introduced.
– The brand launched a new logo in 2016 and has engaged in various marketing campaigns over the years.
– Memorable TV adverts like the Snowman campaign were successful, and personalized Irn-Bru bottles were introduced for fans.
– The brand faced backlash for certain controversial ad campaigns but has maintained its unique and maverick image in the market.
**Production, Sustainability, and Cultural Significance**:
– Irn-Bru is produced in Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, with other manufacturing sites in Sheffield, England.
– AG Barr has focused on sustainability, transitioning a factory to wind power and undertaking initiatives to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint.
– The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in operational changes and eco-friendly practices.
– Irn-Bru holds cultural significance in Scotland, with its long-standing history and iconic status as a symbol of the country highlighted at events like COP26.
– Various events and campaigns have contributed to Irn-Bru’s legacy, showcasing its historical and cultural importance.
Irn-Bru (/ˌaɪərn ˈbruː/ "iron brew", Scots: [ˌəirənˈbruː]) is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink" (after whisky). Introduced in 1901, the drink is produced in Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, by A.G. Barr of Glasgow. As well as being sold throughout the United Kingdom, Irn-Bru is available throughout the world and can usually be bought where there is a significant community of people from Scotland. The brand also has its own tartan. It has been the top-selling soft drink in Scotland for over a century, competing directly with global brands such as Coca-Cola.
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.jpg) Sugar Free Irn-Bru in a glass, with the associated silver Sugar Free variant can | |
| Type | Carbonated soft drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | A.G. Barr plc |
| Country of origin | Scotland |
| Region of origin | Glasgow and Falkirk |
| Introduced | 1889 (as Iron Brew) 1899 (test launch) 1901 (officially) 2018 (new recipe) |
| Discontinued |
|
| Colour | Orange |
| Ingredients | |
| Variants |
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| Website | irn-bru |
Originally sold as Iron Brew, the drinks makers A.G Barr were forced to change the name of the drink in 1946 following a change in the law that stipulated that the marketing of products required to be "literally true". As the drink did not contain much iron, nor was it brewed, led the company to changing the name to the presently used Irn-Bru. Irn-Bru has long been the most popularly consumed soft drink in Scotland, consistently beating rivals such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Fanta, and reportedly sells 20 cans every second throughout Scotland. Irn-Bru is sold in a number of international food and drink markets, including in countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Malta, certain countries of the African continent, the Middle East, and North America.
In 2014, Irn-Bru was one of a number of imported products, including Marmite, banned in Canada as a result of its additives in its ingredients, however a statement released by the Government of Canada in October 2020 stipulated that "Irn-Bru and Marmite are not banned for sale in Canada. These products have been available on Canadian store shelves for more than a decade and will continue to be sold in stores across Canada. ...Imported products, including Irn Bru and Marmite, that meet Canadian requirements under Canada's Food and Drug Regulations are and will continue to be available for sale in Canada."